Early casting of a Victoria Cross, 1856
NAM 1963-10-59
For Valour
Commemorative print celebrating the award of the VC to Crimean veterans. NAM 1956-02-855-4
The year 2006 marks the 150th anniversary of the Royal Warrant that established the Victoria Cross (VC), the most famous gallantry award in the world. Since its inception, 1355 VCs have been awarded. The most recent was awarded to Private Johnson Beharry, 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment, for twice saving members of his unit from ambushes in May-June 2004 at Al-Amarah in Iraq.
Legend has it that along with the first 111 crosses awarded, it was cast from the bronze of Russian guns captured in the Crimea. There is, however, a possibility that the bronze cannon used was Chinese, having been captured during the First Opium War (1839-1842) and then stored at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. The Queen presented the first VCs to Crimean War veterans in June 1857 at Hyde Park.
Unlike its predecessors, the new award was open to all ranks and would only be presented for acts of supreme gallantry in the face of the enemy. As well as being the most democratic of awards, the VC is also the highest gallantry award for soldiers. It was not approached in status until 1940 when the George Cross was created for acts of gallantry not in the face of the enemy.
